Bermuda could become the number one destination for generous US bosses giving their workers a treat -- and bringing millions of tourism dollars to the Island as well.

The Island is attracting so much interest from East Coast corporate clients that one vacation company is planning to set up a department to market Bermuda and other hotspots for one-day trips to the Island.

The news has delighted Tourism officials, who believe the Island's close proximity to the US and logistical proficiency is the recipe for an incentive travel boom.

TNT Vacations is to target the top 500 privately owned companies in the Boston area in a bid to grow its business here -- adding to the thousands of ordinary vacationers it already sends to Bermuda.

This year, TNT boss Steve Belkin is predicting a record sale of Bermuda holidays -- up from 16,000 to 20,000. And he believes corporate business will also shoot up.

Following their successful party at Clearwater Beach for 1,300 employees of a Boston furniture firm, and TNT's own 25th birthday party for some 340 at Elbow Beach, the TNT officials believe the reward market is a goldmine.

The Clearwater party, for the Jordans furniture chain, brought $500,000 worth of business to the Island and massive TV coverage in New England, a key market for Bermuda.

Now two more Boston companies are keen to have their own beach parties later this summer, and TNT industry relations director Holly Powers thinks that is just the start.

"I think it will really take off in Bermuda,'' she said. "It is so perfect from the East Coast.

"Just all of a sudden, following the publicity surrounding the Jordans party, people started to ask us about it.

"The division is going to be part of our travel section. We will start with Bermuda and expand from there.'' The advantages of treating workers to a Bermuda incentive are attractive in a US labour market in which employee loyalty is important, and the cost is tempting -- around $400 per person.

Director of Tourism Gary Phillips said he believed the Bermuda recipe, where Immigration, Customs, transportation, hotels, caterers and aviation staff ensured that visits run smoothly, was working.

"Bermuda is part of a winning formula and it is a tribute to the entire country,'' he said. "It is a tremendous compliment. We are excited about the opportunity.'' And Mr. Phillips said there was an increased corporate awareness of the Island, partly due to the advertising campaign which looked set for future growth.